State auction — bid on an ownerless business/NOTR
State Auction is the moment when The State not just lets an ownerless company run at the fixed land price, but sells publicly to the highest bider. Every few days the system automatically selects one state company from the pool and opens the bid — anyone can pray, and whoever's at the top of the line at the time the clock ends wins the company. It is the fastest, fairest way to get to a first (or extra) company without having to wait on the marketplace until a player sells.
How a state auction works
- Go. The system automatically selects, at an unpredictable pace, one ownerless company from the pool and puts the clock on the auction page.
- Sacrifice. Any player may pray as long as the clock runs. Any new pray must be higher than the previous one (the minimum bid is live on the page). If you're outbid, you get your money back right away — you never risk an offering that doesn't win.
- Close. As soon as the clock ends, the highest bid wins. The company goes directly to the winner, including the existing stock and state.
- No one pray? Then the auction goes without a winner and the company simply remains under the control of The State until the next round.
Tip: the auction page shows a live counter, the current highest bid and the full bidding history — keep an eye on him around the end, because the most exciting bid usually comes in the last few minutes.
The starting price
Each auction starts at a starting price arrived from the default value of that business type — so not a random amount, but a realistic starting point that scales along with how valuable the business type is normal. From there, the bidding contest itself determines how high the final price is.
Why pray along is worth it
Buying a company through the marketplace can only be done if a player puts one for sale — and that doesn't always happen when you're looking. The State auction is guaranteed regularly: In any case, a new company will be available every few days, in a fair bidding battle where everyone has equal opportunities. For novice entrepreneurs, it is often the fastest way to a first passive income source; for established players an opportunity to expand their portfolio without waiting for a seller.
See previous auctions again
On the auction page you can also see the history of previous publications: Which company, who won, and for what amount. This gives you a sense of what business types average and allows you to match your own bid according to it.
Frequently asked questions
How often is there a state auction?
At an irregular, automatic rate of average a few days — you can always see the next start time (indicative) on the auction page.
What happens if I'm outbid?
Your money will come right back to your account. You're not risking anything by offering — only the winning bid is actually written off.
What if nobody offers?
Then the auction goes without a winner and the company simply remains under the control of The State, at the fixed land price, until the next auction round.
Can I also win a state auction through the marketplace?
No, these are two separate ways to get a company. The market place is for companies that put players for sale; the State auction is exclusive to ownless companies Auctioned by the State.
Do I get the company immediately if I win?
As soon as the clock ends, the company goes — including existing stocks — straight to your name.
Keep an eye on the auction clock. Play for free and drag into your first state company.